North America
ESPN riding high according to George Bodenheimer
ESPN President George Bodenheimer said "the entire pie to sports consumption is growing ... and ESPN is continuing to ride that wave."
Emirates to sponsor Breeders’ Cup Turf
Emirates Airline and Breeders’ Cup Limited agreed a sponsorship deal for Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, to become title sponsor of the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Versus secures Tour de France rights
US cable sports network, Versus, extended its deal with the Amaury Sport Organisation for the exclusive US TV rights for the Tour de France, for five years until 2013.
MP & Silva opens new office in Miami
MP & Silva's new office in Miami will oversee the agency’s operations in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Chelsea FC teams up with CAA
Chelsea Football Club teamed up with the sports division of sports and entertainment agency CAA (Creative Artists Agency).
IOC chooses four cities for 2016 Olympics, Doha loses out
The International Olympic Committee selected Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo as candidate cities for the 2016 Olympic Games. Doha missed out on selection, while Madrid and Tokyo appear the cities to beat in the early running.
LA Lakers agree Sports Chalet deal
NBA team Los Angeles Lakers signed a three-year exclusive sponsorship deal with sportswear retailer Sports Chalet. Under the deal Sports Chalet becomes the ‘Official Sporting Goods Retailer of the Los Angeles Lakers.’ The deal will start next season.
NHL agrees new deals with TSN, Anheuser-Busch
The National Hockey League has signed deals with TSN, for media rights in Canada, and with Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc, for Bud Light to remain the league’s official beer.
Major League Baseball loses out to fantasy league
The US Supreme Court has refused Major League Baseball’s appeal to overrule the Court of Appeals finding; leaving fantasy leagues free to exploit player data and statistics without licence.
RBS to sponsor USGA
Financial services group, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), has signed as a corporate partner of the United States Golf Association (USGA).
NFL sells 40,000 Wembley tickets in 90 minutes
American Football’s NFL said it has sold the first 40,000 tickets for its second regular-season match in London in 90 minutes.
US looks set to bid against England for 2018 World Cup
The United States looks set to bid against England for the 2018 World Cup with US Soccer President, Sunil Gulati, saying: “We will be making a decision in the next two or three months, but we are looking very seriously at it.I can't think of any reasons why we wouldn't bid for the tournament.”
Microsoft to sponsor Major League Soccer team
Microsoft agreed a five-year sponsorship deal with new Major League Soccer (MLS) team, Seattle Sounders FC, worth a reported $20 million.
MTV & NBC team up to expand the Action Sports Tour
MTV Networks Music Group, a division of Viacom's MTV Networks, and US network NBC Sports agreed a strategic partnership to expand the Action Sports Tour.
Miller Brewing extends sponsorship of Dallas Cowboys
US brewer, the Miller Brewing Company extended its sponsorship deal with American Football franchise, the Dallas Cowboys, for 12 years until 2020.
New York Yankees to sign Nike sponsorship deal
The New York Yankees have agreed in principle to a new five-year sponsorship agreement with sportswear manufacturer Nike, beginning in 2009, that will end the team’s 11-year relationship with Adidas.
CBS to launch college sport ad network
American media conglomerate, CBS Corporation, is set to launch an online ad network focusing on college sports.
Setanta and Fox acquire England FA football rights in US
Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) and Setanta Sports have acquired broadcast rights in the United States for the English FA Cup and England’s national football team matches in a four-year deal with the English FA.